Jalin Hyatt Unveils Plan to Hit Ground Running for Giants
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll wanted Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt so bad during the third round of the NFL draft that he took matters into his own hands and got the ball rolling o the trade with the Rams to move up in the round to ultimately bring the young man to New York.
Hyatt, who desired to become a Giant before the draft, is grateful for that.
"It was a dream to play here. I had a feeling I was going to come here, too," he said during a formal introductory press conference with reporters Saturday. "I had that feeling. I don't know why. But man, I'm just blessed to be here. Blessed to be in this position, and I just can't wait to make the most of it."
Before the 2022 season, Hyatt had modest numbers in which he didn't eclipse 276 receiving yards in his first two seasons with the Vols while waiting for his opportunity to earn a bigger role on offense.
Last season, when that opportunity came, Hyatt seized the moment, recording 1,257 yards (first in the SEC) on 67 receptions and 15 receiving touchdowns (first in SEC). He was also named a consensus All-American award winner and the Fred Biletnikoff recipient, the award given to the nation's top receiver.
Not bad for a guy that began this process listed at six-foot and 175 pounds and who was determined to show that he is a legitimate big-play threat.
"I feel like I'm just dynamic, explosive. I feel like I get open 24/7," Hyatt said. "I think that's what you want in a receiver, and I feel like, really, with those three attributes, I think that's what separates myself from everybody else."
Hyatt was primarily a slot receiver for the Vols, but the confident young man welcomes the opportunity to play where ever the coaches feel he's best suited.
'Really anywhere," he said when asked about his best position. "I'm not going to come in here and say I only play slot or I only want to play outside. That's why I said I'm dynamic and explosive. I want to play everywhere. Wherever Coach wants me, that's where I'm going to play, and I'm going to do what I have to do."
One of the things he has to do, or rather wants to do, is add some bulk to his frame. Hyatt spoke of wanting to play the coming season at 190 pounds, a weight he said he's not too far from reaching as he continues his training.
"It definitely adds more confidence," he said of what the extra bulk might do for his game. "Easier to catch the ball in contested areas. People can't knock you off of routes and can't knock you off of releases."
Hyatt, who opined that he's the best receiver in this draft despite his falling to the third round, said the extra weight he's been gaining has made him feel more explosive and stronger.
"When I added more weight, just for me, it builds more confidence for me," he said, adding that he wasn't concerned about losing any of his speed in the process.
While Hyatt won't ever be a massive 200-pound receiver, he does believe that he can enjoy the kind of success some of his NFL predecessors of slender build have enjoyed in their careers.
"You know, I was very big on DeVonta Smith with the Eagles," Hyatt said of the six-foot, 170-pounder. "I think he has a lot of capabilities that I have. Slim build, long arms, explosive, dynamic, gets open 24/7. He's consistent in how he catches the ball. He's a consistent receiver and a guy that makes plays, and that's what I want to do."
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